5 Home Remedies for Common Ailments

Find out how to cure minor ailments naturally with our healing home remedies.

When it comes to minor ailments like headaches and motion sickness some people are turning to kitchen-based remedies to
soothe symptoms. A recent survey reported that worries about the economy are driving more people to alternative remedies
as they look for ways to save money on expensive doctor visits and prescription medicines. Here are natural ways to help
nausea, headaches, urinary tract infections, yeast infections and arthritis pain:

You’ve heard: “Arthritis pain? Eating fatty fish can help.”

The Truth: There’s intriguing evidence that taking omega-3 fatty acids in the form of
supplements and cod-liver oil may help reduce flare-ups of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that affects
more than 1.3 million Americans. Omega-3 fatty acids work similarly to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such
as ibuprofen: they reduce the production of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that cause swelling and pain (i.e.,
inflammation). And, while “the definitive study has yet to be done,” says John Hardin, M.D., chief scientific officer for
the Arthritis Foundation, it’s “reasonable to assume” that the anti-inflammatory actions of omega-3s in supplements and
cod-liver oil might also benefit people with osteoarthritis (OA), a much more common form of arthritis.
Could eating fish rich in omega-3s also help? Perhaps: one Greek study found that RA sufferers reported having less pain
during Lent, when they followed Lenten rules to eat fish instead of meat. But beyond this circumstantial association,
there isn’t any “real” evidence (e.g., clinical study results) that eating fish soothes arthritic aches. Still, Hardin
and many of his fellow rheumatologists regularly tell patients that a diet that “leans more toward fatty fish” may help
alleviate their pain. And even if it doesn’t end up reducing arthritis pain, eating fish—particularly fatty types, such
as salmon—twice a week may help your heart.

You’ve heard: “Grab a cup of coffee to relieve a headache.”

The Truth: Better make it two cups. Studies show that 200 milligrams of caffeine—about the
amount in 16 ounces of brewed coffee—does provide relief from headaches, including migraines. Exactly how caffeine
relieves headaches isn’t clear. But scientists do know that caffeine boosts the activity of brain cells, causing
surrounding blood vessels to constrict. One theory is that this constriction helps to relieve the pressure that causes
the pain, says Robert Shapiro, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of neurology and director of the Headache Clinic at the
University of Vermont Medical School.
However, relying on caffeine long-term can backfire. When regular coffee drinkers miss their daily caffeine fix, this is
often associated with a rebound increase in blood flow to the brain. Increased blood flow means increased pressure and,
as a result, “withdrawal headaches” can occur. Shapiro counsels headache sufferers to limit caffeine intake and use it
only to relieve headaches.

You’ve heard: “If you’re feeling queasy, sip some ginger ale.”

The Truth: Scientific research shows that ginger may help control nausea related to
pregnancy, surgical anesthesia and, yes, even sailing the high seas. In one study out of Denmark, consuming 1 gram of
gingerroot reduced the severity of naval cadets’ seasickness. How does the spicy root alleviate queasiness? Ginger
contains compounds called gingerols that, like anti-nausea medications, “help block serotonin receptors in the stomach,”
says Suzanna M. Zick, N.D., M.P.H., assistant research professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University
of Michigan. (Serotonin, that famous “feel-good’ brain chemical, is also associated with vomiting.) Zick recommends
steeping 1 to 2 grams of fresh gingerroot (1 gram is about the size of a quarter) in boiling water to make a tea or
eating about 2 teaspoons of candied ginger. Don’t go overboard, Zick warns: consuming more than 6 grams of ginger in one
sitting can irritate the stomach.
As for ginger ale: only a few companies use real ginger in their brews—and since most manufacturers don’t disclose
amounts of ingredients it’s hard to know whether even those drinks have enough ginger to provide anti­nausea benefits,
says Zick.

The Truth: Drinking cranberry juice can help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs),
according to several studies. Cranberries contain compounds called proanthocyanidins that appear to keep harmful bacteria
from sticking to the bladder. If you get more than three UTIs per year, says Ruth Jepson, Ph.D., R.N., senior research
fellow in the Department of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Stirling, Scotland, you might consider the
proactive approach of drinking cranberry juice regularly. She recommends two (8-ounce) glasses a day. Dried cranberries
may come in handy, too: one small study found that eating about 1/3 cup of sweetened dried cranberries daily may also
help prevent UTIs. Don’t forget to account for the additional calories: each cup of unsweetened cranberry juice contains
about 70 calories (140 for sugar-sweetened); 1/3 cup of sweetened dried berries has about 120 calories. Once a UTI
develops, juice probably won’t help. “There is no clinical evidence that cranberry juice is effective in shortening the
duration of a UTI or in alleviating the painful symptoms,” notes Jepson. Why do so many women swear it works? “The jury’s
still out on that,” says Jepson, who speculates that consuming extra fluids may help flush out the harmful bacteria. So
drinking plenty of plain old water may work just as well.

You’ve heard: “Eat plenty of yogurt if you have a yeast infection.”

The Truth: Our bodies normally play host to some “good” bacteria and some “bad” bacteria,
along with a small amount of yeasts. “Good” bacteria help to keep yeast populations in check. When the number of
beneficial bacteria drops, yeasts can start to take over, resulting in a yeast infection. A few studies suggest that
eating yogurt—which contains “good” bacteria—may keep yeast under control. One study found that women who regularly ate
yogurt had a healthier balance of bacteria and fewer infections. But other studies aren’t as promising—and none, so far,
has found that eating yogurt provides any relief once an infection has developed.
Even so, if you’re susceptible to yeast infections, having a cup of yogurt every day can’t hurt. If nothing else, it’s a
good source of protein and calcium. Look for brands that specifically advertise they contain live and active cultures,
which ensures you’ll get the beneficial bacteria.